Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-10-29
Wa-Keeney Township Republican
SENATOR PLUMB.
His Speech at Opera He'll Tuesday
Night,

Hon. Preston B. Plumb, one of Kansas
distinguished members in the United
States senate, arrived in the city Tuesday
afternoon, and at night addressed as large
an audience as could find the room to sit
and stand in Opera Hall. Captain b. }.
F. Hanna presided. The speaker began
talking about o'clock, and it was 10 be-
fore he concluded his speech. He held
the closest possible attention of his
audience. It will be perceived readily
that we can, at best, give only brief syn
opsis of his address. After music by the
band and a song by our splendid vocal
talent, the speaker was introduced, and
began by mentioning incidents OF his tiy-
ing trip by wagon through several counties
to the northwest of Wa-Keeney. The
senator paid to the people who are open
ing up the New West glowing tribute.
He said they are doing service to hui
mainly in subduing the wild nature of
this country, and added that these people
are doing in this portion Of Kansas what
has already had to be done in the settle
ment of eastern and central Kansas.
The administration of the government
land affairs received cleyerly executed,
but gaping, wound. When a certain
Roman had performed for the government
yalorous service, gift was made him of
all the land which he could pillow within
given time, and that government did not,
as our government is doing in the case of
the old soldiers of the republic, send
agents around to spy out an imaginary
fraud in the manner of the acceptance of
the gift
The speaker dwelt with emphasis on
the proposition that the settlers in west
ern Kansas ought not to attempt to raise
corn or any other cereal product as a
staple. Diversified farming is the correct
principle to adopt. Sorghum will do as
well out here, or even better, than in east
ern Kansas. The stalk may not grow as
large here as there, but the sorghum here
is enough richer in saccharine matter to
render it more valuable than in the bot
toms ofeastern Kansas. Sorghum seed is
rich in nutriment, and is as good
feed as stock needs. The raising of this
product is to make Kansas rich. At the
sugar works at Fort Scott, for which the
speaker secured an appropriation of fifty
thousand dollars, number one article of
sugar is manufactured. The manufacto-
ries are bound to be scattered throughout
this state. There is room for one every
ten miles along each railroad in the state.
1t is an industry which can not be over
done, and in this respect differs from the
most of manufacturing enterprises. The
time is close at hand when Kansas will
produce all the sugar which she con-
sumes. For long time there was vital
difficulty in making sugar from sorghum
Itbafled the skill of experts. Finally, the
difficulty has been discovered. After all,
it was simple, and has been overcome.
Kansas has been built up through adj
yersity. The experiences of her people
have prepared them for the work which is
before them. The war of the rebellion
was begun on Kansas soil. Kansas has
thus led the United States, and the Unit
ed States leads the world. Nobody ever
hears of emigration to Europe or any por-
ton of the world, except the United States.
The speaker followed out this idea at
length.
The senator barely touched upon poll
tics. Tariff laws, he contended, were de-
manded, not for revenue only, but for the
protection of American industries. When
Europe controlled our iron markets,
that commodity was sold in this country
at high figures. The establishment and
successful operation Of iron manufacto.
ries in the United States were made
possible by the protective tariff system
Home enterprise, thus fostered, has
brought down the price of iron to mere
fraction of what Britain used to receive
the protective tariff system, and Britain
would soon be selling iron to Americans
and putting up the price to the old-time
figures. The tariff laws need revision
constantly, on account of the entering into
our industries of new and hitherto unfore
seen elements. 1t is claimed in certain
quarters that the tariff laws are unfriend-
~ to the farmers. The notion is grand
mistake. Kansas needs manufacturing
enterprises of all kinds within her Dor
ders. To secure these, they must be as
sured OF protection. It is suicidal fol
Kansans to send their wool and other raw
materials east, and have them shipped
back, manufactured, for re-purchase al
high prices
Democrats accuse Republicans OF keep
ing alive old issues. There is nothing t.